Five Premier League youngsters to watch out for in 2023/24

Each season we see the emergence of new faces in the Premier League and there are a multitude of talented youngsters hoping that this is the campaign their breakthrough arrives.

Premier League academies are bursting with talent and with the new season just weeks away, we’ve profiled five prospects to keep an eye on during the 2023/24 season.

Five Premier League youngsters to watch out for in 2023/24.

Ethan Nwaneri

Ethan Nwaneri made headlines last season as the teenager became the youngest player in history to feature in England’s top flight. Nwaneri was introduced as a late substitute against Brentford in September, aged just 15 years and 181 days.

That’s some story to tell at school on Monday.

Mikel Arteta clearly rates the midfielder highly and Nwaneri is expected to spend time around the first team this season, after turning down interest from Chelsea and Manchester City to sign a new deal with the Gunners.

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri comes off the bench and becomes the youngest ever Premier League player! 👶 pic.twitter.com/URDRwtEjoZ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 18, 2022

The 16-year-old – remarkably born after the opening of the Emirates Stadium – has signed new scholarship forms with Arsenal and has agreed a professional deal when he turns 17 in March.

His commitment to a new deal will be a major boost for Arsenal, with Nwaneri regarded as one of English football’s most exciting young talents. He has scored eight goals in 17 appearances for England at u-17 level.

Cameron Archer

Cameron Archer will return to Aston Villa this summer with renewed confidence after an excellent period out on loan.

Archer struggled for opportunities across the first half of last season before shining on loan in the Championship at Middlesbrough, where a return of 11 goals and six assists in 20 appearances fired Michael Carrick’s side into the play-offs.

Archer 🎯#U21EURO | @England pic.twitter.com/mfkteMQjX4

— #U21EURO (@UEFAUnder21) July 7, 2023

The 21-year-old then formed part of the England u-21 side at this summer’s European Championship and ended the tournament as the Young Lions’ joint-leading scorer, as Lee Carsley’s side were crowned European champions for the first time since 1984.

After two impressive seasons in the Championship, Archer will hope to impress Unai Emery in pre-season and force his way into the Spaniard’s plans. Villa lack options at centre-forward and Archer will battle Ollie Watkins and Jhon Durán for a role in the side. With Villa in European competition this season, there could be minutes available for the forward.

Cesare Casadei

Cesare Casadei signed for Chelsea last summer as the club continued to target emerging talent from across the globe.

The midfielder scored five times in 13 appearances for Chelsea’s development side across the first half of last season, before spending the remainder of the campaign on loan at Reading in the Championship.

Casadei made 15 appearances in the second tier but was unable to prevent Reading from being relegated, before underlining his class with an exceptional u-20 World Cup. The 20-year-old scored seven goals in seven games as Italy finished as runners-up in the competition, earning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards in the process.

Italy’s Cesare Casadei is the first European player to win both the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (top goalscorer) awards at a men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/z3XHzYvXl1

— Scouted Football (@scoutedftbl) June 12, 2023

An imposing midfielder with drive and goal threat, Mauricio Pochettino will be keen to run the rule over Casadei after the exits of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic this summer.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Crystal Palace face the difficult task of replacing Wilfried Zaha this summer after the club’s talisman decided against renewing his contract at Selhurst Park.

Palace, however, could have a readymade replacement for the Ivorian within their own ranks, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi the latest exciting talent to emerge from the club’s academy system.

🔝🗑 on the volley!

What a hit from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi 😮‍💨#EFL | @CAFCofficial pic.twitter.com/18lPPX16tE

— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) February 5, 2023

Rak-Sakyi spent last season on loan at Charlton Athletic and excelled in League One, earning the club’s Player of the Year award after a return of 15 goals and eight assists.

Full of fun, flair and end product, it is not difficult to see how the winger would fit in alongside the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise next season.

Divin Mubama

West Ham believes the club have another special crop of talent emerging after FA Youth Cup success last season, with the Hammers having thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in the final.

That win came after beating Southampton 6-1 in the last four, a fixture which saw Divin Mubama score a hat-trick and the forward scored again in the final as West Ham won the competition for the first time in 24 years.

Mubama was named as winner of the 2022/23 Mark Noble Award for the Young Hammer of the Year after an excellent season across various age groups, scoring prolifically for the club’s u-18 and u-21 side and earning senior minutes under David Moyes.

A first senior goal for Divin Mubama 🥰@WestHam || #UECL pic.twitter.com/0fkE0AQA1X

— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) March 22, 2023

The 18-year-old scored 16 goals in all competitions at u-21 level and netted eight goals in five FA Youth Cup ties for the u-18s.

He ended the campaign with 30 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, including a first senior goal for the Hammers against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa Conference League. With Gianluca Scamacca linked with an exit and Michail Antonio set to turn 34 next season, Mubama will hope to earn a regular role in Moyes’ plans.

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